The Bravade of Saint-Tropez

For many years, pirates scoured the Mediterranean coasts. It became necessary to have a war chief and, in 1558, the Council of the Community decided to designate under the name of Captain of Town, the leader of the local militia responsible for recruiting and commanding the men necessary for the defense of the Cited.
For more than a century, the Captains of the City and their Saint-Tropez militia ensured the defense of the city.
During his reign, the local militia gave way to a royal garrison installed at the Citadel.
But by ceasing to use their weapons for the defense of their city, the people of Tropez kept them to honor their Patron Saint.
The City Captain continued to put himself at the head of the Bravade, the great patronal feast of May 17 and the inhabitants were only more zealous to resume, that day, the costume and the weapons which they had hitherto worn. .

Since then, the city of Saint-Tropez sees, every year, its inhabitants in arms don their uniforms of soldiers and sailors and sound the blunderbusses and rifles in honor of the Saint.
This Bravade resulting from the freedoms of Saint-Tropez, communion of an entire population whose distant or recent history is nothing but heroism and loyalty has been perpetuated intact until our days.

May 16
8:00 a.m. – Place de l’Hôtel de Ville: Artillery salvo – aubades to the authorities and leaders of the Bravade
11:00 a.m. – marine cemetery: Wreath laying at the War Memorial
2:30 p.m. – Place de l’Hôtel de Ville: Meeting of the Corps de Bravade
3:00 p.m. – Town Hall Square: Taking of the Pike and the Flag – Blessing of Arms
from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – in town: Petite Bravade

May 17
8:00 a.m. – Place de l’Hôtel de Ville: Meeting of the Corps de Bravade
11:00 a.m. – parish church: Mass of the Musketeers followed by the general procession through the town
3:30 p.m. – Place de l’Hôtel de Ville: Meeting of the Corps de Bravade
from 4 p.m. – in town: Grande Bravade
around midnight – Place de l’Hôtel de Ville: Redemption of the Pike and the Flag

May 18
8:00 a.m. – Place de l’Hôtel de Ville: Meeting of the Corps de Bravade
9:00 a.m. – Sainte Anne chapel: Mass of thanksgiving followed by the traditional picnic

Date: From May 16 to 18, every year.
Places: Saint-Tropez town center